We met at Wichita High School East (go Aces) when we were 16 and Michael had just moved back to the United States after living in Hong Kong. At East, we regularly shared the stage in the East Theatre productions, and offstage had many shared friends. After high school, we stayed in touch mainly via Twitter (tweeting at each other about TV and politics) and eventually started hanging out when we returned to Wichita after college. We quickly grew close during our many trips to visit our shared high school friends who were attending KU (~the Baeces~ if you will) and started dating months later. Next thing ya know we moved to California and the rest is history!

Michael made fast friends with everyone when he came to East. He was talented, smart, cool, and had lived somewhere that wasn't Kansas (contributing to the cool factor). He's taught me to be more patient and chill, and he'll do a French accent for hours just to make me laugh. I'm so happy we found our way to each other after college and now get to quote Hamlet to each other (thx to our senior English teacher, Mr. Maack) for the rest of our lives. 

Aside from being hot, funny, and smart, Niki has always had the magical ability to cultivate the strongest and most meaningful friendships, everywhere she goes. Watching her reconnect with old pals, make new ones, and achieve the goals she sets for herself has made me a better person and friend. I feel extraordinarily lucky to be the one she chose to go on adventures, couch potato, and do stupid bits with.